Carton and blank therefor

ABSTRACT

A multi-walled cylindrical carton having a reclosable cover portion adapted to telescope over a receptacle portion and a onepiece blank therefor. The inner and outer wall panels of the carton are wrapped around the product to be packaged therein and a series of top and bottom end panels and flaps hingedly connected along the upper and lower edges of the outer wall panel are then sequentially folded in and secured to one another to form the carton. The outer wall panel has a line of weakness formed therein to provide a flip top or completely removable cover portion which is reclosable in telescoping fashion over that portion of the inner wall panel which protrudes above the line of weakness along which the cover was opened.

[ Dec. 30, 1975 [54] CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR [75] Inventor:

[731 Assignee: American Can Company,

Greenwich, Conn.

22 Filed: Sept. 30, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 510,653

George L. Meyers, Menasha, Wis.

[52] U.S. Cl. 229/4.5; 229/21; 229/44 CB; 229/51 BP [51] Int. Cl. B6SD 3/22; B65D 3/04 [58] Field of Search 206/446; 229/41 C, 41 D, 229/14 BW, 4.5, 21, 44 R, 44 CB, 51BP [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,113,350 10/1914 lnman I 229/21 3,115,241 12/1963 Ast 229/44 CB 3,708,108 1/1973 Rosenburg, Jr... 229/44 CB 3,858,788 I/l975 Phillips, .lr. 229/44 CB FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 206,396 11/1923 United Kingdom .1 229/21 920,354 3/1963 United Kingdom 229/51 BP 801,564 12/1950 Germany ..229/51BP Primary Examiner william T. Dixson, Jr. Assistant ExaminerBruce H. Bernstein Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert P. Auber; Ira S. Dorman; John M. Winter [57] ABSTRACT A multi-walled cylindrical carton having a reclosable cover portion adapted to telescope over a receptacle portion and a one-piece blank therefor. The inner and outer wall panels of the carton are wrapped around the product to be packaged therein and a series of top and bottom end panels and flaps hingedly connected along the upper and lower edges of the outer wall panel are then sequentially folded in and secured to one another to form the carton. The outer wall panel has a line of weakness formed therein to provide a flip top or completely removable cover portion which is reclosable in telescoping fashion over that portion of the inner wall panel which protrude-s above the line of weakness along which the cover was opened.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 30, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,929,271

FIG]

US. Patent Dec.30, 1975 Sheet2of2 3,929,271

CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to cartons and blanks therefor, and particularly to a reclosable cylindrical carton formed from a one-piece blank.

Paperboard cartons have, of course, gained wide acceptance in the packaging industry for merchandising a wide variety of products. It is essential that the cartons be of a simple construction so that they can be produced, set up, filled and sealed by high speed machinery. It is also important that the cartons have sufficient strength to withstand stacking pressure during storage and the rigors of shipping and handling without being accidentally opened, crushed, mutilated or misshapen in any way. There is an important merchandising advantage in the highly competitive packaging industry if the cartons can be provided with an opening feature which facilitates quick and easy opening of the carton without the use of an opening instrument and if the cartons can be reclosed in a suitable manner. Such opening features, however, must not substantially weaken the carton structure, slow down the packaging operations, or materially increase the cost of the carton.

While there are a number of tubular or cylindrical type cartons and packages available today, such as, rolled paperboard tubes with separate end caps, cylindrical cartons with bellows folded end closures, and others; the blank and carton construction embodied by this invention are believed to be heretofore unknown in the industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I have invented a new and improved multi-walled cylindrical carton, and a unitary blank therefor, having a reclosable cover portion adapted to telescope over a receptacle portion. The carton has inner and outer wall panels which are wrapped around the product to be contained therein. The outer wall panel has at least two circular top panels and a top flap between the circular top panels all hingedly connected along the upper edge of the outer'wall panel and at least two circular bottom panels and a bottom flap between the circular bottom panels all hingedly connected to the bottom edge of the outer wall panel. These panels and flaps are sequentially folded in and secured to provide top and bottom closures which are connected at a plurality of spaced points about the circumference of the top and bottom of the carton. In the preferred form shown in the drawings, the carton is provided with three circular top panels and three top flaps and a similar number of bottom panels and flaps.

The opening feature of the carton is provided by a line of weakness formed in the outer wall panel to provide either a flip-top cover portion or one that can be completely removed. In either case, the cover portion is reclosable in telescoping fashion over that portion of the inner wall panel which protrudes above the line of weakness along which the cover was opened.

Further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments of the invention for exemplification.

2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a paperboard blank comprising a completely removable cover embodiment of my carton invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a paperboard blank comprising a hinged cover embodiment of my carton invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the sequential folding of the top panels and flaps to form the top end closure of the carton invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a closed carton formed from the blank shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the carton formed from the blank shown in FIG. 1 with its cover portion removed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the carton formed from the blank shown in FIG. 2 with its hinged cover opened.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 3-5, the blank 10 shown is suitably cut and scored to provide a carton 40 with a receptacle portion 40a and a completely removable cover portion 40b. Blank 10 has generally rectangular inner and outer wall panels, 11 and 12, respectively. The outer wall panel is longer than the inner wall panel to permit the outer wall panel to be completely wrapped around the inner wall panel and adhered to itself by adhesive 13 to form the cylindrical doublewalled structure of the carton. The inner wall panel is also slightly narrower than the outer wall panel to facilitate the end closures.

The outer wall panel has upper, lower and outer edges l4, l5, and 16, respectively. The wall panels have a common inner edge defined by score line 17 and perforated tear line 18. A second perforated tear line 19 extends across the outer wall panel from its inner edge to its outer edge to provide an opening feature wherein the cover portion may be completely separated from the receptacle portion along tear lines 18 and 19. While the line of weakness 18 is shown as a perforation line in FIG. 1, that. line may alternatively be a out line so that the section of the outer wall panel above the hinge connection, that is, the skirt section for the cover, would be totally separated from the adjacent upper portion of the inner wall panel.

The blank 10 has three generally circular top panels 20, 21 and 22 and three top flaps 23, 24 annd 25 hingedly connected at score line 26 along the upper edge of the outer wall panel.

The bottom portion of the blank is substantially identical to the top portion and has three generally circular bottom panels 27, 28 and 29 and three bottom flaps 30, 31 and 32 hingedly connected at score line 33 along the lower edge of the outer wall panel.

The top flaps are tapered to their connection at the score line 26 so that they are spaced from the circular top panels along the upper edge of the outer wall panel to permit the panels and flaps to be folded inwardly to form the top closure. The bottom flaps 30, 31 and 32 are similarly formed.

Referring to FIG. 3, after wrapping outer wall panel 12 completely around inner wall panel 11 and securing the outer wall panel to itself, the bottom and top closures are formed. A preferred order of closing of the top panels and flaps is shown in FIG. 3 wherein top panel 21 is folded in first, then flaps 23, 24 and 25, followed by panel 20, and finally panel 22. The panels and flaps are suitably provided with adhesive (not shown) either pre-applied or during the closing procedure. The bottom closure is similarly formed. Different folding sequences may be followed, however, the last down panel, in the case illustrated panel 22, should be slightly larger than the inner panels to provide a neat appearing carton.

FIG. 4 shows the carton 40 in its closed condition and FIG. shows the carton after it has been torn open along tear line 19.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the blank 50 shown is suitably cut and scored to provide a carton 60 with a receptacle portion 60a and a flip-top or hinged cover portion 60b. The blank 50 is similar to blank except that the line of weakness providing the opening feature comprises a perforated tear line 51 longitudinally spaced from the inner and outer edges, 52 and 53, of the outer wall panel 54 and score lines 55 and 56 extend from the ends of the tear line 51 to the edges of the panel. These score lines provide the hinge for the cover portion 60b as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, the upper edge 57 of the inner wall panel 58 has a generally V-shaped cut-out portion 58a at its mid-section to facilitate easy opening and closing of the cover portion.

While blank 50 is shown with a cut line 59 separating the upper section of the outer wall panel 54 from the upper portion of inner wall panel 58, it should be understood that this line could alternatively be a perforated tear line as shown at 18 in blank 10.

In addition, a V-shaped cut-out portion such as shown at 58a in blank 50 may also be incorporated in the inner wall panel 12 of blank 10 if desired to facilitate opening and reclosing of the carton 40.

It should be further understood that this invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embodies all such modified forms as come within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A unitary carton blank for forming a generally cylindrical carton having a reclosable cover portion adapted to telescope over a receptacle portion, said blank comprising:

a generally rectangular inner and outer wall panels each having an upper, lower and outer edge, said panels having -a common inner edge along which they are hingedly connected,-said outer wall panel having an integral. glue panel portion at its outer edge, the lengthof said outer wall panel including said glue panel portion thereof being longer than said inner wall panel to permit said outer wall panel to be completely wrapped around said inner wall panel overlapping said inner edge and to permit at least a part of said glue panel portion thereof to be adhered to the outer wall panel beyond said common inner edge,

b a line of weakness formed in said outer wall panel dividing said outer wall panel into an upper section providing a skirt for said cover portion and a lower section providing an outer wall for said receptacle portion,

c at least two generally circular top panels hingedly connected along the upper edge of said outer wall panel,

d a top flap hingedly connected along the upper edge of said outer wall panel between said circular top panels,

e at least two generally circular bottom panels hingedly connected along the lower edge of said outer wall panel, and

f a bottom flap hingedly connected along the lower edge of said outer wall panel between said circular bottom panels.

2. The unitary carton blank as specified in claim 1 wherein said top flap is spaced from said circular top panels along their hinge lines and said bottom flap is spaced from said circular bottom panels along their hinge lines.

3. The unitary carton blank as specified in claim 1 wherein the upper edge of said inner wall panel has a generally V-shaped cut-out portion at its mid-section.

4. A generally cylindrical carton having a reclosable cover portion adapted to telescope over a receptacle portion, said carton comprising:

a inner and outer wall panels each having an upper, lower and outer edge, said panels having a common inner edge along which they are hingedly connected, said outer wall panel having an integral glue panel portion at its outer edge and being completely wrapped around said inner wall panel and overlapping said common inner edge, at least a part of said glue panel portion being secured to the outer wall panel beyond said common inner edge,

b a line of weakness formed in said outer wall panel dividing said outer wall panel into an upper section I providing a skirt for said cover portion and a lower section providing an outer wall for said receptacle portion,

0 at least two generally circular top panels hingedly connected along the upper edge of said outer wall panel,

d a top flap hingedly connected along the upper edge of said outer wall panel between said circular top panels, I

e at least two generally circular bottom panels hingedly connected along the lower edge of said outer wall panel, and g f a bottom flap hingedly connected along the lower edge of said outer wall panel between said circular bottom panels.

5. The carton as specified in claim 4 wherein said top flap is spaced from said circular top panels along their hinge lines and said bottom flap is spaced from said circular bottom panels along their hinge lines.

6. The carton as specified in claim 4 wherein the upper edge of said inner wall panel has a generally V-shaped cut-out portion at its mid-section. 

1. A unitary carton blank for forming a generally cylindrical carton having a reclosable cover portion adapted to telescope over a receptacle portion, said blank comprising: a generally rectangular inner and outer wall panels each having an upper, lower and outer edge, said panels having a common inner edge along which they are hingedly connected, said outer wall panel having an integral glue panel portion at its outer edge, the length of said outer wall panel including said glue panel portion thereof being longer than said inner wall panel to permit said outer wall panel to be completely wrapped around said inner wall panel overlapping said inner edge and to permit at least a part of said glue panel portion thereof to be adhered to the outer wall panel beyond said common inner edge, b a line of weakness formed in said outer wall panel dividing said outer wall panel into an upper section providing a skirt for said cover portion and a lower section providing an outer wall for said receptacle portion, c at least two generally circular top panels hingedly connected along the upper edge of said outer wall panel, d a top flap hingedly connected along the upper edge of said outer wall panel between said circular top panels, e at least two generally circular bottom panels hingedly connected along the lower edge of said outer wall panel, and f a bottom flap hingedly connected along the lower edge of said outer wall panel between said circular bottom panels.
 2. The unitary carton blank as specified in claim 1 wherein said top flap is spaced from said circular top panels along their hinge lines and said bottom flap is spaced from said circular bottom panels along their hinge lines.
 3. The unitary carton blank as specified in claim 1 wherein the upper edge of said inner wall panel has a generally V-shaped cut-out portion at its mid-section.
 4. A generally cylindrical carton having a reclosable cover portion adapted to telescope over a receptacle portion, said carton comprising: a inner and outer wall panels each having an upper, lower and outer edge, said panels having a common inner edge alOng which they are hingedly connected, said outer wall panel having an integral glue panel portion at its outer edge and being completely wrapped around said inner wall panel and overlapping said common inner edge, at least a part of said glue panel portion being secured to the outer wall panel beyond said common inner edge, b a line of weakness formed in said outer wall panel dividing said outer wall panel into an upper section providing a skirt for said cover portion and a lower section providing an outer wall for said receptacle portion, c at least two generally circular top panels hingedly connected along the upper edge of said outer wall panel, d a top flap hingedly connected along the upper edge of said outer wall panel between said circular top panels, e at least two generally circular bottom panels hingedly connected along the lower edge of said outer wall panel, and f a bottom flap hingedly connected along the lower edge of said outer wall panel between said circular bottom panels.
 5. The carton as specified in claim 4 wherein said top flap is spaced from said circular top panels along their hinge lines and said bottom flap is spaced from said circular bottom panels along their hinge lines.
 6. The carton as specified in claim 4 wherein the upper edge of said inner wall panel has a generally V-shaped cut-out portion at its mid-section. 